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Dubai Marina residents reveal plan to reverse Emaar dog ban

New proposals include fines for irresponsible dog owners and setting up of committee in bid to end dispute

(AFP/Getty Images)

By Staff writer

Mon 11 Aug 2014 02:06 PM

Dubai Marina residents who are fighting to overturn Emaar's ban on dogs using the promenade area of the residential area have come up with plans to end the dispute.

More than 90 residents have devised a proposal that includes issuing fines to irresponsible dog owners and the setting up of a Dubai Marina Pets Committee in a bid to allow dogs to co-exist.

Last month, the residents delivered a petition of more than 1,300 signatures to Emaar's headquarters calling on the master developer to reverse its ban on dogs using the promenade area of the marina development.

On July 13 Emaar erected signs forbidding dogs from accessing the Dubai Marina Promenade, which has prompted a backlash from dog owners living in the area.

Emaar previously said that the decision to ban dogs from the area was taken for hygienic reasons.

The new proposal, which has been sent to Emaar management, also calls for a meeting between the two side to agree a road map.

It recommends that fines of up to AED1,500 for solid waste and AED750 for not rinsing liquid waste or letting dogs off leashes in a bid to crack down on irresponsible dog owners.

It also proposes developing a census for dogs, with special collars being issued for dogs to allow them access to the promenade.

Residents are also planning to raise funds via a monthly tax per dog to fund initiatives such as “sweeper washer cleaners”, dog bags dispensers and bins.

Campaigners are also keen to develop small “green islands” between main developments (eg Promenade & Al Sahab) which can be used by dogs to relieve themselves and “dog lanes” and a “dog park”.

A spokesperson said: "In order to find the right balance between a pristine public space and a vibrant community where dogs are key, we suggest an approach based on accountability, education, quality and governance.

"In summary, we propose a solution that meets everyone needs: Dogs can maintain their basic rights of having access to public space, dog owners can enjoy time with their pets the public space, investors keep intact their property value, and ECM maintains their public space without raising their operating costs."